“Draven...” Hunter straightened. Then looked away. Lifting his hand slowly and realizing his pants were in them. He quickly stepped in.Trying to put some manner between him and the fierce, dark-haired Alpha, who was now staring at us from across the spread of leaves and grass between the trees. He had his arms crossed across his chest and blatant fury on his face.How’d he know?In my panic, I bit my cheek and tucked my body against Hunter in an effort to hide all my bare flesh from the angry Alpha looking me up and down disdainfully.Apparently unamused by my nudity.“My Alpha.” Hunter lowered his head in deference. “We were merely out for a morning frolic.”“That wasn’t what I asked.”“Our intent wasn’t to defy you.” Hunter said quietly.“But you did nonetheless.”“We only-”“Enough!&rdq

I knew his posture. I’d seen him take it when he was doing things which he felt like were his duty.Don’t go. It was all I could think. Whimpering as I watched them. Catching BailaLae’s wrist and hanging on with planted feet until she had to tug me loose.Aviari caught her shoulders and turned her away from me, even though I could hear her sobbing.“She’ll be okay.” He told her.But it seemed like Aviari’s larger than life personality waned in that moment and we all knew he wasn’t wholly certain.He’d sounded scared.Then mom and dad had gotten home. Both of them cut and badly beaten. It was long after the little boys had already gone to bed.They’d told our older siblings goodbye upstairs. While they followed them around. Tossing out their clothes as they tried to pack them. Begging them to stay.For the first time, I wondered at how hard it must&rsq

I crouched and as the wolf leapt, I slid to my back and lifted the blade to jam it into the wolf’s underside. Dragging it the length of the beast’s body. Splitting it open and sending its entrails spilling onto the floor. The second man was a heartbeat behind him and was suddenly over me. He dropped to his knees to hover over me, pinning me to the ground and lifted his fists to begin pummeling me. I instinctively threw my arms over my face to block his hits but before they could rain down on me the original black wolf with white striped over his shoulders and framing the sides of his snout thudded across the room and hit the man so violently that he sent him tumbling off me. The man spun on to his feet to confront the wolf but by now the other two who looked so similar to the original, were slinking closer. Their thickly muscled shoulders bunching and curving over them as they edged threatening forward. Their pointed teeth bared in vicious snarls which indicated thei

“Who?” Vanquish lowered my head carefully to the floor before standing over me.Preparing to get very aggressive with Magnus.Quickly, from the look of it. If Magnus doesn’t start talking.“Are you Gallion?” Magnus’ gaze was locked on me. Fully prepared to ignore Vanquish closing in on him. Breathing raggedly and exuding fury as if he were already prepared to pounce.“Yes..” I whispered.Magnus did an excited little hop in the doorway.“It’s her, Hawk!” He barely tossed over his shoulder. “I was right. Zyra was right…”“Zyra?” Vanquish growled.“My mate.” Magnus gave him a surprised glance, as if only now, seeing him for the first time. “She thought Vanna Rae was the one…”“The one what?” Hunter joined Vanquish. Shoulder to shoulder with him, crowding Magnus fr

“You’re going to need me?” I said nervously. Chewing my cheek. I’d already dealt with another Mating Moon since that first one. It hadn’t been nearly as brutal.Still…“Yes.” Vanquish nodded. “But I don’t think that’s what he means.”“I mean they’re going to scent you a mile away.” Racer warned in a dangerous tone. “I’m not letting you go anywhere near that camp.”Shit.I wanted to go. Wanted to see how big their force was. And what resources they have.Magnus walked through the trees. Catching the tail end of the conversation. “He’s right, you know? I was standing downwind from you and could smell you down the hill.&rdq